Gray After Dark

Miley focuses on performing chores, smiling at Hamish, and deferring to Fred. After 33 days, Hamish announces they are getting married the following day. Miley fakes a joyful reaction by imagining she is with Brent. She feels Mary tense when Fred announces they will cook two roosters for the wedding supper. Miley feels compassion for the chickens and Mary. She tries not to think about what will happen to Mary if she escapes.

Wes sprains his ankle, and Brent leaves him to rest, promising to return with food. Suddenly, he sees more strands of Miley’s hair in the undergrowth. Brent returns for Wes, and they follow the new trail, hindered by Wes’s injury. Brent shoots a rabbit that crosses their path, providing the first meal they have had in days.

Miley wakes, realizing she is no longer shackled to Mary. Mary gives her the handmade dress she wore to marry Fred, which has dark stains on the hem. Fred conducts the unofficial ceremony in the yard, and Hamish takes Miley to the bedroom. Miley detaches herself from the ordeal that follows by thinking about her mother.

Miley’s mother, Jane, was a single parent who worked long hours at a diner to ensure Miley could pursue her dreams. She introduced her daughter to cross-country skiing at a young age, which led to her passion for biathlon. In August 2017, after Miley graduated from high school, she and her mother set off on a hiking trip. As Miley drove, Jane suggested that her daughter should open her heart to Brent, who was clearly in love with her. For the first time, Miley daydreamed about what it would be like to kiss Brent. Distracted, she allowed the car to wander into oncoming traffic, and a truck hit them head-on.

Miley woke in the hospital, where Brent broke the news that her mother had died. Miley immediately blamed herself, reflecting that fantasizing about Brent caused the tragedy. Although she told Brent she wanted to be alone, he would not leave her and cared for her during months of rehabilitation.

After Hamish consummates their “marriage,” he chains Miley to the headboard and falls asleep. The next morning, he gives Miley socks to wear but shackles her to Mary again. That night, in bed, Miley thinks of her mother, recalling memories she has suppressed since her mother’s death. She remembers the warmth of her mother’s love and her joy when they came across a herd of elk while skiing. Miley knows her mother would tell her that the accident was not her fault. Crying as she hears her mother declaring she loves her, Miley realizes that Brent is the source of similarly unconditional devotion. In her head, Miley tells Brent she loves him.

Mary admits to Miley that her inability to have a child is a source of anguish. Miley says Mary might have a better chance at conceiving if she returned to society, as taking progesterone can aid conception.

That night, Miley dreams that she and Brent are married and standing on the winners’ podium at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Miley’s mother is in the crowd with Miley and Brent’s baby daughter. Miley wakes up crying but feels comforted. When Hamish throws an arm out in his sleep, hitting her bad shoulder, she realizes the phantom pain has disappeared.

The next morning, Fred frees the women from their shackles. Later that day, he catches Miley alone in the shed, intending to sexually assault her. When Fred grabs her, Miley resists the urge to fight and focuses on controlling her breathing. They are interrupted by Hamish, who opens the door and demands to know what his father is doing. The men go off, arguing, while Miley returns to Mary in tears. She tells Mary about her mother’s death, how she has realized that she loves Brent, and her dream about their baby girl. Mary advises her to make the best of her current situation. However, Miley feels a new spark of resistance.

When they go to feed the chickens, Mary notices that her favorite hen, Annabelle, is missing. Miley recalls that Annabelle was the name of the first baby Mary miscarried. Seeing a chance to escape, Miley wonders if she could bring herself to hurt or even kill Mary. However, Mary’s distress over Annabelle provokes her sympathy. Miley tells herself: “Wait for your shot” (280).

Miley and Mary reach the edge of the property’s boundary while searching for Annabelle. Miley can still hear Fred and Hamish arguing in the distance and wonders if they would hear Mary scream. When Mary sobs that she cannot bear to lose Annabelle, Miley suggests the hen is not as tame as Fred believes, and may have run away after seeing the roosters’ fates.

Wes has been unable to walk on his sprained ankle for three days. Brent is frustrated but feels unable to abandon him in his helpless state. Suddenly, a chicken walks into the camp clearing. As Brent grabs the hen, they hear voices.

Hearing Annabelle squawking, Mary runs toward the sound. Miley sees her chance and prepares to leave Mary behind. However, when Mary screams, Miley runs in the direction of her voice, coming face-to-face with Brent and Wes. As Miley and Brent embrace, Wes gasps, recognizing Mary as Rayna. Seconds later, they hear Hamish shouting for “Ruthie Sue.” There is no time to grab Brent’s rifle before Hamish appears in the clearing.